With all 43 precincts reporting, Peterson won the District 9 Senate seat by 38 votes, with 41,626 votes to Lee’s 41,588. The final totals are subject to a canvass in the coming days and a potential request for a recount.

Peterson, who served as Wilmington Mayor from 2001-03, re-entered politics in the last year with the emerging issue of the concern over water quality after the disclosure of the unregulated compound GenX in much of the drinking water supply in this region.

The race between Peterson and Lee was heated, with supporters on both sides airing negative ads against each other.

“This is a sweet victory, because now at the state level I will be able to work with local elected officials to represent your concerns and values and interests,” Harper Peterson said to a boisterous crowd of supporters Tuesday night.